Have you had your teeth cleaned this year? A professional dental cleaning can have a significant impact on your general health. It is recommended to receive professional dental cleanings at least twice a year. Brushing and flossing every day is essential, but a professional dental cleaning can help ensure the health of your teeth and gum tissue, help prevent tooth decay, and any future problems.
Here’s what to expect at a routine dental exam:
Our hygienists carefully assess the health of your teeth and gums. Then, they thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar by using either hand or ultrasonic scaling. Next, they carefully polish your teeth, removing any remaining surface stains. As part of your hygiene appointment, we also provide an oral cancer screening, which is an examination of the inside and outside of your mouth, checking over your hard and soft tissue, tongue, cheeks, and lips. Your dentist will also come in for an examination, where they will check for areas of tooth decay or infection present. Once your teeth are clean and your examination is complete, your hygienist will talk to you about your dental care routine.
Five reasons to get routine dental exams:
1. Examine Mouth and Remove Plaque: We examine your gums, teeth, and mouth for signs of tooth decay and other oral health problems. Part of your dental cleaning involves the removal of dental plaque and tartar from teeth to help prevent dental problems such as tooth decay or periodontal disease. Tartar cannot be removed with a toothbrush; only a dental professional can remove it.
2. Prevent Decay: Tooth decay is damage to a tooth that occurs when bacteria produce acids that destroy enamel, which can lead to holes in the teeth, called cavities. Having routine dental x-rays taken are key in diagnosing tooth decay early. If left untreated, cavities can cause a toothache, infection, and loss of teeth.
3. Prevent Gum Disease: Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and effects over 50% of adults 30 and older. It is a gum infection that damages both your gum tissue and the bone that holds your teeth in place. Treatment can include a specialized cleaning in the pockets around the teeth to prevent further bone loss. If that specialized cleaning is not completed, periodontal disease will progress, and tooth loss is inevitable.
4. Early Detection of Oral Cancer: In America alone, one person dies from oral cancer every hour, but many of these cancers are curable if detected at an early stage during a routine cleaning. Oral cancer is twice as likely in men than women. There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing oral cancer.
5. Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes: A strong link exists between cardiovascular disease and gum disease. People with periodontal disease have 2-3 times the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. By managing the health of your gum tissue and bone support, the risk of a cardiac episode can be decreased.
Polished Dental offers affordable, gentle, and compassionate dental care in Bismarck, providing services from basic preventative care to specialized procedures using state-of-the-art technology. We strive to build relationships by providing exceptional dental care with a personal touch.